Rupi Mangat

Mathew’s Range: A little-known mountain range with one of the least disturbed forests in north Kenya makes for exciting long term research in forest dynamics

Published on August 10, 2019August 9, 2019 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Above: Dry lower slopes of Mathews Range

From the archives: 6 September 2013

Published: in The East African Nation newspaper

Part 1 of 3

September 1887. Count Teleki and Captain Ludwig von Hoehnel left Ngong near what is today Nairobi to trek across northern Kenya in search of a huge lake. The local Samburu called it Empasso Narok (the black lake), Teleki renamed it Lake Rudolf in honour of his friend the Austrian prince and in independent Kenya, it became known as Lake Turkana after the people who live around it.

On Mathews Range between dry lower slope and the high forest- copyright rupi mangat — On Mathews Range between dry lower slope and the high forest- copyright Rupi Mangat.

Enroute, Teleki diverted to Lake Baringo while Hoehnel went in search of another lake called Lorian. He didn’t find the lake but instead came across a mountain range the local Samburu called Ol-doinyo Lenkiyieu. As for Lake Lorian he learned from the hunter-gathers called the Wadorobo, there was no lake but a swamp that the Uaso Nyiro River emptied its floodwaters during the rains.

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The Unique Kitich Camp of Samburu

Published on August 3, 2019August 2, 2019 by Rupi Mangat1 Comment

Above: Kitich Forest Camp – Dinner under the stars with a herd of elephants.

Published: The East African Nation media – FEBRUARY 13 2015

It’s the deep-throated growl of the lion that alerts us that he’ around. The sound wafts through the forest night uninterrupted by any other. Seated by the open glade of grass where the river flows, we’re surrounded by silhouettes of the mountain peaks rising 6,000 feet high, visible in the glare of the full moon. Decked in a mesmerizing forest of sky-spiraling trees and endemic cycads that have been here since the time of the dinosaur, l scan the glade beyond for a glimpse of the mighty king of beast. But it’s only his growl that gives him away – and the hidden camera.

Kitich Forest Camp - The island forests of Mathews Range in the semi-arid north Kenyain d — Kitich Forest Camp – The island forests of Mathews Range in the semi-arid north Kenya drylands

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Mid-year Mara

Published on July 27, 2019July 26, 2019 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Above: Maasai giraffe, mother and calf. In Maasai Mara. Copyright Rupi Mangat

Published: 27 Juy 2019

It’s the mid-year bonanza in the Maasai Mara. It’s lush and green after a long dry spell. We’re in the south-eastern part of the 1,510-square-kilometre park that is a continuation of the 14,750-square-kilometres Serengeti National Park.

It is this enormous space that is world-famous as big game country: big for the huge herds of wildebeest, big for the big cats, big for the world’s largest land mammal – the elephant and big for the tallest – the giraffe. There are so many superlatives that describe the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem that it is mind-boggling.

June 2019 Wildebeest arriving from Serengeti into Maasai Mara. Copyright Rupi Mangat (800x600) — June 2019 Wildebeest arriving from Serengeti into Maasai Mara. Copyright Rupi Mangat

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Gone to Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Published on July 20, 2019July 19, 2019 by Rupi Mangat3 Comments

Above: CBD Goma. Copyright Rupi Mangat

Published: 20 July 2019

Congo’s been my dream destination even before Nyiragongo erupted in 2002 and nearly wiped out the little town of Goma in eastern DRC that’s on the shores of Lake Kivu and neighbouring Rwanda. The country is gigantic and the second largest in Africa, the Congo River sways 3,000 kilometres across its girth flowing through the mighty Congo forest which like the Amazon forest is a major lung of our planet. The river empties with such force into the Atlantic that for 200 kilometres into the ocean the water is said to be fresh.

2002 Nyiragngo lava near Goma.. Courtest Bantou Mangat (800x450) — 2002 Nyiragngo lava near Goma.. Courtest Bantou Mangat

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At Kahuzi Biega in Search of the Endemic Grauer’s Gorilla in DR Congo

Published on July 13, 2019July 10, 2019 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Above: Life-size statue of Grauer’s gorilla at Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DRC. Copyright Rupi Mangat

Published: 13 July 2019

Part 2 of 2

While waiting for the great gorilla safari planned for the following day from Bukavu on the shores of Lake Kivu in the Albertine Rift, the taxi driver arrives for the chimpanzee sanctuary in Lwiro that is 50 kilometers away.

Rescued Chimpanzees at Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Center. Copyright Rupi Mangat (800x600) — Rescued Chimpanzees at Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Center. Copyright Rupi Mangat

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